Private Beneath The Red Moon

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila stared at the encroaching redness of Dathomir from the cockpit of The Masquerade as it dropped out of hyperspace, and entered the atmosphere. A troubling concoction of emotions welled within her soul to see such a strange place again. As the ship became enveloped by red misty clouds, She felt a subtle fear.

What if he finds me again?

As it descended into the open skies, uncrowded by ships nor towers, fear became acceptance.

Then I'll fly somewhere else.

As that clear sky grew distant, and the ship's cloak dropped, Acceptance became hope.

I'm not alone... I have allies now.

The dark mountains of Dathomir slowly swallowed the view, her golden eyes staring back in a reflection. Soon hope fostered resolve.

I'll survive, somehow. I always have.

The ship quickly made landfall atop the mountains, one of many flat canyon tops that dotted the planet's alien surface. The ramp lowered with a hiss, scattering what few insects remained after the landing as she stepped forth, clad in her new armor. Although the mask remained under one arm, Crowned by fresh weld marks. Kaila intended to put her full self on display, allow her thoughts to be seen by both the force and the Witch. It was an honesty she afforded few others.

Looking up at the red moon overhead, she took a deep breath and held up the wooden charm around her neck,

And snapped it in half.


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

"No, no Grisial! We don't want to mix the history of the mountain clans with the river clans! If I do then I will never hear the end of it. They have to be in different sections," Dreidi sighed exacerbated after rough morning of sorting and ordering the histories that she had either located or rewritten onto holocrons and holodisks after finding the tablets.

The Vulptex was looking over to Dreidi and tilted his head as if he was trying to understand why what she was saying was such a big issue. "It is an issue because not all the clans are the same, even if they hold similar views. The mountain clans even need to have subsections so that people can look into specific clans." Dreidi rubbed her temples as she was fighting for life against a migraine at this point. Things were getting close to completion with the Dathomir enclave, it was the final stretches that were hosting some of the largest concerns.

Grisial flicked his tail in frustration at Dreidi's frustrations and she shrugged, "well, we need to get this building finished sooner rather than later. Who knows what the future holds and we can't risk the lost history that things like this could cause if we don't build a detailed library." However, Dreidi knew they needed a break from the records otherwise it would drive them both barking mad. "But, we can do some play in the gardens as a break." She grinned widely as she watched Grisial rush away to find his ball and rush outside to play with Dreidi.

As she walked into the garden, she thought about her encounter with Kaila and the whole invasion as a whole, she had yet to hear if the efforts by the Alliance were successful or not. A larger concern had been the fact she had not heard from Kaila in a while and was hoping that the Sith had not cottoned onto the notion that Kaila was thinking of leaving. She dreaded to think her words had left Kaila's fate in a dangerous, even life threatening spot.

CRACK

Dreidi tilted her head and felt her pointed ear shift to ensure she had not misheard what the noise was. Then she felt it, the presence of someone who was most certainly not a witch on Dathomir. "Grisial, we'll play when I get back. I need to go, behave." She looked to the Vulptex who had his ball in his mouth, understanding why she needed to go and accepting it without issue. He knew that Dreidi always kept her promises to him.

Teleporting away as a swirl of green smoke lingered in the air, Dreidi used her Magick to appear in front of Kaila only a few moments after the charm had been broken. The witch held a smile on her lips and waved to Kaila, "I am surprised to see you here, I figured you would either want to meet somewhere neutral or being needing my help in getting away." Dreidi stated as she walked over to Kaila, the attire was new and it was impressive, though dark and very suiting for a Sith.

"Have you decided whether you are remaining with the Sith or do you wish to accompany me to my enclave? It is currently empty so do not worry, there will be no one there trying to attack you. Sorry, not empty, it has Grisial but he is a animal familiar and Force bonded to be so he wouldn't attack you unless I was threatened or I told me to. Even then... he might hesitate... He is not the strongest of fighters." Dreidi could feel that she was slightly rambling but had been caught a little off guard that Kaila came to Dathomir.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila took a half step back as Dreidi appeared from a cloud of smoke much the way she had left their previous encounter. Only this time they were not meeting as enemies.

"Not sure if I'll ever get used to that" She muttered.

"I am surprised to see you here, I figured you would either want to meet somewhere neutral or being needing my help in getting away." Dreidi stated as she walked over to Kaila, the attire was new and it was impressive, though dark and very suiting for a Sith.

"Have you decided whether you are remaining with the Sith or do you wish to accompany me to my enclave? It is currently empty so do not worry, there will be no one there trying to attack you. Sorry, not empty, it has Grisial but he is a animal familiar and Force bonded to be so he wouldn't attack you unless I was threatened or I told me to. Even then... he might hesitate... He is not the strongest of fighters."

"Mm, You spoke of Dathomir before, So I figured you had good reason to suggest it"

She began walking a little closer to the cliff's edge, studying the landscape far below and even further on the surrounding horizon. The wind would sometimes howl through the jagged peaks, as did animals far below, but it this natural state of the world there was a certain quiet to be enjoyed, a comforting lack of any presence here, be they imperial or otherwise. Just scattered natives, their small clans in the far reaches making the planet feel so much larger, so open.

"Besides, I have a... a history with this world. I think it's high time I started confronting my past"

"As for your questions," Her gaze lingered on the swamps and rivers below for just a moment longer before she finally turned to Dreidi.

"I'm unsure. I'm not with those sith, I can say that at least...? I was made a Darth after our battle, In theory I have more freedoms than before. Resources, too. I have this companion of sorts, you see. She's brought me into something of a fraternity for dark siders fed up with the current state of affairs. I'm not sure what that makes me anymore"


"Would you even accept me here, If I were Sith...?"

She seemed almost distant as she looked back up to the sky, thinking aloud at this point.

"This is all so new to me... I fear it will take time before even I have answers"


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

Her heightened perception allowed to catch the mutterings of Kaila but only her smirk would reveal that she heard what had been said. It was definitely an ability that others were always used to see and dealing with. It made combat interesting though she was never using it that often in combat, it was difficult to deal with the ability as well as attempting to plan attacks. Only if she was using her bow and fighting from a range could she make the most use out of it.

"I did but your screams of refusal to return here made it seem like this was the last place you wished to revisit and remain for any length of time." She wasn't sure how much Kaila would remember from that battle but Dreidi wasn't going to hide what had happened either, she was willing to move forward and help Kaila take those dangerous and tough first steps away from the life as a Sith. If Kaila wanted to take those first steps. It was something her new friend had to want.

Nodding her head, "well congratulations on the promotion there. That probably helped in avoiding trouble for my survival, especially since you were fearing that Carnifex was going to be severely punishing you afterwards. Shall I continue to call you Kaila, or would you rather I use your new name?" Learning that there were others who had similar opinions was news to Dreidi and she knew it would be something that the Galactic Alliance and NJO would love to hear. However, she was not going to betray the truth forming with Kaila to give some small hints that could be discovered in a variety of ways. There were more important matters to focus on.

"Well, I would not remove you from here, Dathomir is a world that accepts the light and the dark, we have our Nightsisters and we have our other clans dedicated to healing, helping and light. The enclave would not reject you either since it is something I have built and will lead, however, remaining here and remaining a Sith in name and action... There is likely to be an ongoing war, that will bring tension and people will be uncomfortable living beside a Sith while family, friends and companions are fighting and dying to those Sith." She spoke in a gentle manner, appreciating that this was a delicate time for Kaila and that things were going to be unanswered and tough to deal with on top of the conflict currently ongoing.

It was not Dreidi refusing but warning Kaila of the fact that they were dealing with a messy and difficult situation. "However, we are also not in Galactic Alliance space and we do not have to comply with their rules." Other issue was this was territory claimed by Mandalorians and they were a fickle group at the best of times.

"The choice to stay here, call this home and find yourself. That is yours and yours alone, I will not force you to stay here and I will not force you to leave if you wish to remain. I only wish you to know your options and potential risks that come with them."

 

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila said nothing. There was so much to consider, so many variables and yet... Was there truly such urgency as she felt or was it merely anxiety that could no longer be suppressed?

"I'm not sure what to say, really. I've spent so long chasing that title and whatever notion of freedom or power I associated with it.
Am I Darth Anathemous...? Am I Kaila? I'm not even sure if that was the name I was born with or another he'd given me"

"Either way, I've been left with such anger and hate for so long..." She sighed "I'm not sure I can be anything but Sith now, or sith adjacent anyway. Even if I am curious to see this enclave of yours"

How was a woman who'd been carefully molded for the life of a Sith to live now that she'd abandoned it all? Abandoned the life she knew, abandoned the purpose He had given her, the only purpose she had ever known. She wasn't about to go so far as to become a Jedi, Kaila knew that much, knew that she'd spent too long opposing them to earn their trust nor did she truly trust their order, save Dreidi perhaps. Would she be forced to wander then, as the ancient Dark Je'daii exiles had thousands of years before her? No, she had to find a use for this power. Power was a tool, not merely a goal, and much like herself, a tool needed direction.

Though in a way, perhaps Carnifex could still give her that direction?

"What if..." Kaila turned to Dreidi with revelation in her eyes "I could be both...?"

"To be Sith is to be as a blade. A blade can change hands, but it still serves one purpose. Just as a warrior can change sides, her purpose remains to slay the other"

"How would your enclave feel if that blade were turned on it's master?" She whispered.

It was only natural, after all. For as often as she criticized the Banite Sith and the intergenerational poison with which they had infected the subconscious of every sith, Kaila was in fact a hypocrite. She had already begun preparing herself for this moment even if she did not know it, making back door alliances, bargaining to learn powers from other dark lords under the guise of her own scholastic duties, powers she believed he was withholding from her, both beings carefully dancing from a distance, trying to come out on top of an inevitable betrayal.
And it was so close now.

She could feel it.

"The empire burns. Even still, the embers left from civil threaten to reignite, and my lord has many enemies. Within and Without. The Inquisition openly challenges his allies, House Marr plots as they always have. The Brotherhood who took me in encouraged me to act without Carnifex even before you. On Echnos, you said you were not alone? Neither am I, I just failed it see it!"

"There was an alliance between our orders, once. Thousands of years before the Gulag Virus" She smiled, holding her palms out

"Led by Jedi Master Satele Shan,"

One hand closed

"And by the Sith, Darth Marr,"

Then another

"Against a reborn Emperor Vitiate"

And then she brought her hands together, fingers intertwined.

"It was uneasy, it took a great deal of time, but it changed the galaxy for the betterment of all. They say history repeats itself, perhaps... what if we nudged it along?"


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

"It should be the name you wish to be called by. The name you want to hear others call you by." Dreidi wasn't bothered too much, though she had to admit that Kaila was easier to say than Anathemous, which just seemed like more of a mouthful to say. Hearing that Kaila/Anathemous was unsure if she could be anything but Sith, "finding a new path in life, moving past the trauma and years of being force to feel only hate, pain and suffering for the most part." Dreidi had been in dark places herself before, when she lost her father, she had struggled a lot.

It had taken time, therapy and dealing with her trauma to move forward with life. To be herself once again.

She took a step closer to Kaila, and placed a hand on her shoulder, "you are far from a sword, you are a person. I do not wish you to fight if that is not what you want. The New Jedi Order, they will have to deal with whatever we decide. I will not force you to risk your life and the safety this enclave can provide, to just earn brownie points with the Jedi." She then took a step back, "it isn't a terrible idea, if that is what you wish to pursue. I would recommend not bring the Sith here, Dathomir works as a safe place for you because they will not come here to find you, if more come then it will be impossible to keep this a safe haven."

"History does not repeat but it does rhyme... A phrase I heard long ago." Dreidi mentioned as she thought on the notion that there had been something similar done years ago. "Though you will need to either wait till you can organise enough people to lead yourself, or you will need to find the Sith who would be willing to work with the Jedi in this war." Dreidi stated.

She started walking towards her enclave, "either way, you will need somewhere to come home. Want to see the enclave?" Dreidi offered as she started making her way home.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Right, right... Allies, I will need many allies, yes. But not here, Have to keep them somewhere secret" She spoke quickly and became lost in thought again.

"I must speak to the master of Marr first, the Tsis'kar are well versed in plotting against Sith, he'll know where to go. Not the Inquisition, too reckless. Mandalorians? Unsure... no, Crusaders and wild cards, Need to be more subtle. Need to keep this internal, destroy him from within-"

Kaila looked up, realizing that she was muttering nonsense.

"Sorry, I shouldn't even be thinking about this right now, not so soon"

"either way, you will need somewhere to come home. Want to see the enclave?"

"Oh, yes" She began to follow Dreidi, remotely closing the ship's boarding ramp before powering down.

"I uhm... I appreciate you putting up with all this. Though It surprises me. The Jedi I've encountered before always seemed so... uncompromising"

Brendok, The Empire of the Lost and their peculiar Grays, she had always been met with threats in those few moments when they had a goal in common. Thinking back on it, maybe an alliance was a poor decision. Perhaps it would be best to keep this an internal affair, stoke the flames of another civil war between sith, hope her side comes out on top and that the galactic alliance focused on the Mandalorians long enough to make it happen.

Bloody hell she had a lot of work to do. But she needed something to do, to pour herself into. Else she might simply go mad. She wasn't like the Jedi, she couldn't stand waiting idly. Her idea of "peace" was pouring herself into studying ancient powers or keeping her hands busy with alchemy.

Perhaps then she should be asking Dreidi about witchcraft? Yes, something to occupy the mind other than Carnifex.

"What's it like?" She asked abruptly "Being both a Witch and a Jedi Knight?"


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

Watching Kaila's mind running with thoughts and ideas, it was intriguing and she was unable to hold back a smirk. There had been plenty of times when she was a Padawan and even now, that she would have ideas and thoughts that she would need to air out instantly and allow her thoughts to run around. Figuring out what would be best and how best to approach it. Luckily, nowadays she had Grisial so she seemed less crazy when she was talking aloud. At least, she felt less insane.

Looking back to Kaila, "Jedi... Some can be stiff and uncompromising in their ideals, no different to the Sith. How many Sith do you think would help me out after I affirmed that I want to remain a Jedi." Sith were known to help those in falling into the Dark Side, but she knew few that would work alongside a Jedi. At least out of the current Sith she had encountered, she met few. "As for Jedi, Brendok... Those were not Jedi, they were some kind of warriors believing they served Ashlan, but Jedi they were not. Not all who serve the Light Side are Jedi, as not all who serve the Dark Side are Sith."

It was clear that Dreidi was a teacher, she couldn't help but provide lessons or use her teaching tone. It was too default, especially since her Padawan was someone who reminded her of Kaila.

"Tough. The Jedi are more open to me being a witch since I am not attempting to be a Nightsister. I demonstrate with my powers clearly that they are not evil in their intention." Dreidi commented as she knew there were likely some purest who would hate who she was but for now, she had not met any. "The witches here... It depends on who you talk with. Some are indifferent, some see the Jedi as allies, others still hold resentment over past sins from the Jedi. However, I am working hard on trying to provide balance and understanding to both."

She was determined to live her life as both, that would never change, "being both is not a conflict, at least I do not see it as a conflict. There are challenges but anything worthy in life are challenging." Dreidi mentioned as she continued to walk forward, "for some, even forcing a label upon themselves is too much. Why force Sith or Jedi ideologies on themselves, they live as simply Force Users, doing what they think is right and necessary." For some that was ideal and it was not a bad sounding life, Dreidi had just been raised in Jedi, Sith and even Witch culture too much to leave it behind.

"For me, I was raised Jedi. Both my parents were Jedi and leaders of the Silver Jedi Order. Kinda guides your path a little." She chuckled as she walked.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Balance. She knew that Jedi and Sith, therefore Dreidi and Herself, likely had very different views on what balance truly meant. Even so, the witch seemed like someone she could get along with. She even felt... sympathy? and some kind of displeasure at the idea that there were some who did not accept Dreidi for who or what she was.

It certainly didn't speak well for the rest of the Jedi.

But of course, this wasn't Coruscant, and this wasn't a Jedi enclave they were walking towards.

Even so, it sounded less distressful than the Sith. Certainly less life threatening, at least. Dreidi had a home and even if she were to take issue with the temple, there was always dathomir.

"It... must be nice" She wondered aloud

"To belong somewhere, I mean. Whether that means being a Jedi in your own way, or a Witch. Not that I doubt the severity of these challenges mind you, I just... You're a part of something that you believe in"

Perhaps she wasn't sure what to believe in anymore. Certainly not the Kainate and it's horde of deluded sycophants.

"When I first deployed to Echnos, I had this idea of what an empire is meant to be. It's supposed to be an exchange, you see, a contract. It's citizens give a degree of their freedoms and labor to a maintain and strengthen the empire, and in exchange it protects those people and enriches them for it"

"Then I heard the plan."

The Phobis Device. So many dead, the broken alliance retreat hadn't even suffered the worst of it. The dead were the lucky ones, so many broken families survived despite the crematoriums being so overworked that they began sending the caskets to space instead.

"The Empress has been... strangely kind to me, since I met her after the siege. I'm not sure what value my performance was to her but I believe she had something to do with my promotion. She was the first to call me Darth Anathemous before the ash had even cooled, before Carnifex even had time to considered my advancement"

"She spoke to me, spoke to me, you know. During our battle, I could still hear her voice trying to steel me against the Phobis Device"

She paused, unsure what it all meant for her.

"She seemed so guilt wracked when we met after the siege. I think she believes in the empire, perhaps she's the only one. And yet I find it difficult to reconcile this with her methods"

Kaila sighed

"Even so, Carnifex makes her look like a bloody saint. But I suppose I'm back to square one. Alone and without a cause"

"But perhaps I should follow your advice" She shrugged.

"About labels, I mean. It's what my... companion would have wanted. She always insisted on forgoing them, and that I should think for myself more. She encouraged me to distance myself from Carnifex even before you," She glanced up at Dreidi, wondering what she and Leven Jeyd might have thought of each other, were they ever to meet. Though for now, she wouldn't mention the sithspawn by name, both out of respect for her privacy and in case they already had.

"She's the reason I joined that little society of ours. We're not sith exactly, more like a democratic fraternity of disillusioned dark siders. Dark Jedi, Witches, Sith who play fast and loose with the code. All with no regard for the wider order and outside imperial borders"

"A bit like your enclave, in a way"

Time would tell if they truly had her back or if they were like all the others. For now, she needed to focus on the present.

"Admittedly I realize this has all made me quite ignorant of your people. Between our society's witches and the ones Carnifex kept, I had assumed that nightsisters were the only witches here. I hope you'll forgive the ignorance, I've spent so many years studying Sith and Jedi history in preparation for this war, I neglected to study dathomir beyond relevance to my mission"


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

"I had to figure out who I was as a person and who I wanted to be long before I felt accepted by others. I came from a complex background of ideals and understandings that was not always aligning correctly with those that I wished to be associated with." She understood that the Dreidi that first tried to join the New Jedi Order was not the type of person that the Order would have accepted as a Jedi now, but during the time she had felt indignant at the idea she was anything but the perfect Jedi.

It was this background that made her the perfect understanding for Kaila's stance, the stance of many Sith as well as many Witches, as well as showing them a path they could follow that wasn't necessarily Jedi in nature but was more Light Side leaning. An objective that most Jedi would be glad she attempted to achieve.

"The empress's plan was always going to be one that sacrificed the well being of many civilians but also the well being of many Sith. A phobis device does not discriminate and you stated that there was a countdown to its activation when you warned me of the changes. You knew that even the empress saw you as a pawn that she was willing to sacrifice in order for the Sith to succeed." Dreidi hated that she had to do the anti-propaganda talk herself but it was clear that Kaila saw some very dangerous Sith in a light that was too lenient in their favour.

She turned around to Kaila, "if the Jedi were willing to massacre 70% or more of their army for a single moon that they acknowledged was not a moon of great significance, do you think I would forgive their leadership for the mass murder?" It was very blunt but it was also how she demanded Kaila to see the matter. Too many had died for a location that previously was determined insignificant. It was only because it was territory taken from them that the Sith cared.

Even then, had they truly cared or were they willing to demonstrate that if the Jedi ever threatened them that every civilian would suffer the consequence.

"No one had to died. No civilians had to suffer. You didn't have to suffer. But Srina decided that activating the phobis device was a bigger priority than your safety, than the people of that moon's safety. Kaila... If another Jedi fought you, at my level, do you truly think you survive that outcome as healthfully as you did because I allowed it?" She didn't state this will a threat in her tone but true concern, Srina was able to speak to Kaila because Dreidi didn't want to fight. She didn't want to kill the apprentice.

Would Srina have cared if she knew that Kaila's fate was doomed?

Dreidi doubted it.

 

[Kaila Irons]

If another Jedi fought you, at my level, do you truly think you survive that outcome as healthfully as you did because I allowed it?"

Kaila's anger flared briefly, something that could now be sensed in the force because she carried her mental ward under her arm rather than over her face.

"Do not forget," She stopped walking for a moment, and suddenly it sounded as if a thousand others were speaking through her as an eerily familiar glow came about her eyes, violet like her blade, but more piercing than any saber.

"That I am not some Acolyte. That I have felled beings greater than you or I-"

The ghostly image of Parasideus hovered just behind her as she spoke in the ancient sith lord's many voices, it's faceless hood following the exact movements of her golden eyes.

"That I have trained all my life to kill Jedi. That I have also slain many more who trained to kill your kind. I speak with you because I allowed it."

Then she continued to march down the path with or without Dreidi, though the ghost and the gloam eyes which heralded it both vanished quickly as they came, scattered like dust to wind.

"As I said. I am aware of the discrepancy between how she has begun to treat me and the things she has done, it goes against what I stood for. I am also aware that it took both of us to make this moment possible. But if we are going to make this work, you need to understand that just because you are a Jedi does not mean I am someone for you to save"

"I am not some weak pup in need of saving!" She hissed, although her voice had remained rather hushed for a Sith's even if spoken quite quickly as she thought aloud.

"What I need is convincing. Not that what we did was wrong, I am well aware, but convincing that this can all work. That coming here, coming to you was the right call"

She stopped again, taking a deep breath.

"You will get nowhere by speaking to me the way they do. I will not allow myself to be beneath anyone, not even the force"


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

Dreidi looked over to Kaila when the Sith got defensive about her point and she let out a sigh. Holding back, not using her powers to seriously harm Kaila had given the impression that she was weaker than she actually was. Dreidi didn't try to defend herself, she did not need to demonstrate or say that Kaila was severely underestimating the witch and that if she wanted to, she could warp the world around Kaila and trap her in a stone prison forever. The ghostly visage was not something that perturbed Dreidi, she had seen it before during their fight and she knew if she truly wished to tap into the power, she could summon an army to her of her undead sisters. They were stored everywhere on Dathomir, ready to defend her when a threat was brought before them.

She could make the ground beneath them open up and swallow Kaila whole if she wanted. However, she did not, she did not feel the need to threaten with her power. That was not Dreidi's intention. She could send a legion of undead witches, but she did not. Her thumb traced the hilt of the ichor sword of her ancestors and she listened the angry ranting from Kaila. There was a lot of baggage here and a lot of assumptions on Dreidi and the Jedi, she looked back sharply to Kaila and tilted her head.

"You were trained to fail. You were trained to kill Jedi, but could not kill me. Someone who was not trying to harm you, so do not assume that my ability to hold back is weakness or the full scope of my power." Dreidi wasn't trying to defend herself but demonstrate that Kaila was not taught how to survive or succeed in killing Jedi, she had been taught how to charge into the welcoming arms of death. She was merely pawn in a game rigged against her.

Dreidi tilted her head, "you assume I must do the work to convince you. I am the one who stayed my blade, I am the one who informed you of the fact that Kahlil remains alive and in defiance of his father, showing that Carnifex is not all power. I am the one who gave you a way to contact me in case you were in danger and needed my help. I am the one who is opening my home to you. I am the one who is risking bringing Carnifex to Dathomir and putting my sisters in danger of his rage for helping you fight him." Dreidi refused to have the risks and the effort she had already put into this relationship be ignored or disregarded. Dreidi had been the one working hard to make this work.

"So, do not make demands of me Kaila. I have made a lot of effort here and I am willing to continue to help you but I am not here to serve you nor I am here to argue the defence of the Jedi or wrongs of the Sith." Dreidi's golden eyes stared back to Kaila, "I have seen the good and bad from both sides. Now, I do not see you as weak, I am not trying to belittle you. However, continue your tantrum, your outburst demanding respect when you already held my respect."

Dreidi sighed, she wasn't sure the last part would go down well but she needed to show that this charged conversation was wholly one sided and the insecurities of Kaila and not the intention of Dreidi. But also the demands that Kaila were stating were outrageous and selfish. Dreidi had demonstrated a lot already and she wanted to work with Kaila. However, Dreidi was not someone who would jump simply to appease the person demanding it. She was always going to fight authority.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Do you not think I too have stayed my blade?!" Kaila turned sharply to glare over her shoulder.

"Have you assumed this entire time that I was defecting to what I believed to be a superior power?"

"What, because you put me on the defense? That makes you better than me?!" She scoffed, continuing down the path.

"Defense is where I am my strongest."

Kaila knew her methods were highly unorthodox for a Sith, and some would have considered her a heretic even. She didn't expect for them to understand, nor the Jedi. Though she was starting to became more agitated with Dreidi who, to her, seemed to demonstrate the aloof arrogance of her order that she had read so much about. Actually it reminded her a great deal of other Sith she knew, Sith she hated for wildly different reasons than her ire towards Carnifex.

"The only reason I attacked you head on was because of the Phobis. Ironically, it was the kainite Battle Meditation that cleared my mind enough to recognize that taking the offensive was the wrong decision, and if not for the sith who linked their minds to mine, you might have actually cast me further into the dark side's embrace by striking my ward"

She held her mask high for Dreidi to see.

"Had it not been for them, the outcome of our battle may have been very different and your attempt to sway me would have failed, possibly of your own doing"

"Ironic, isn't it?" She chuckled cynically "That neither of us fight the way we're supposed to"

"And that is exactly why I did not come here to make anyone serve me, because I am not whatever it is you assume me to be. Whether you are or are not trying to belittle me does not matter, what matters is that you assume much. You assume that you are superior, speaking like some victorious force parading your power. You cannot help a people by conquering them, you cannot help someone that you believe yourself superior to, ideologically or otherwise"

"Respect, as you put it, is for equals. We can approach this as such or we can lay it to rest"


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

Dreidi sighed and shook her head, there was much she could say. There was much that she disagreed with what Kaila was stating as it was factual. However, she held her tongue. For now, she was not believing her words were having the desired affect and she did not wish to state something now that would offend Kaila too much and sever this tenuous relationship. Especially since they were both trying to do their best, it was just a very different view on what was being done.

"I fight the way I believe a Jedi should. I showed mercy, I reasoned and worked to ensure that we found a peaceful resolution, it was a combined effort, yes. My approach was still what a Jedi should do, at least, that is what I believe a Jedi should do." Dreidi mentioned, walking in the lead as she guided Kaila to her enclave, "I do not seek acceptance from other Jedi, my training was very unorthodox and I have understood that I might not be spoken as a great Jedi in the same breath as some of those within the New Jedi Order. But it is not my job to seek glory in that manner."

She had spent a long time accepting her path and she was finding balance with all things even now, years after being knighted. She struggled with the earliest parts of her training being surrounded by Sith and those who did not agree with the ways of the current Jedi, now having to work with those Jedi and adapting her understanding of what it means to be a Jedi. Especially when it came to how callous and cold Dreidi had been at one point. It had taken time and surrounding herself with positive friends, but she was finding the path she wished to follow and become the Jedi she wished to be.

Hearing that Kaila believed Dreidi assumed herself superior forced Dreidi to speak when she tried to remain silent. She could not hold back, not when she was being accused of something she was trying her damnedest to avoid.

"I do not believe myself superior just because I am stronger. I do not see myself superior to Padawans and non-Force Users, but I know I am stronger than them." Dreidi stated, "I still respect them and I do my best to ensure they reach their full potential. I do not believe myself superior to you, Kaila, what I have is years of combat experience, and training in skills you do not understand." She looked over to Kaila, "I respect you and the strength you have and I want this to work. I am not here to boast or force you to work under me. I have told you that you can come and go as you please, I have told you that I am here to help you however I am able to. And I have told you that I will do my best to protect you."

"Do not assume that I am here to declare myself your superior or your boss. That has not once crossed my mind and I am not seeking your submission, that is a false assumption of yours. So drop this now, I am here to help and that is all I have ever tried to do with you." Dreidi was hurt that Kaila tried to insinuate that she had any other intentions or beliefs, hoping that this argument could die here and now. That there could be something better to be discussed moving forward.

 

[Kaila Irons]

For all her talk of assumptions, Kaila's were thrown back in her face. The irony was not lost on her. She supposed anyone else in her position would have come to the same conclusions, being practically raised among the sith from the moment of her rebirth. Why wouldn't she assume these things of everyone else? These things she was taught to assume for her own survival amidst the cabalistic lifecycle of an empire dedicated to the obsessive culling of the weak from it's ranks, or their manipulation.

Did she truly believe that the witch was stronger than she was? No. To do so was to admit a weakness that she had been taught could not be allowed to persist. One of the many ways in which she still assumed the world functions.

But that did not make Dreidi her enemy.

In fact the witch was being quite calm about this, all things considered. Not the unnatural, emotionless calm that she had come to expect from Jedi either, in fact she was quite sure she'd struck a nerve at some point. And yet, instead of biting back, instead of fueling Kaila's own anger, she tried to defuse the situation.

And without that dark energy to draw upon, her own smoldered and died.

"...forgive my outburst..."

Kaila relented, casting her gaze to the jungle below.

"I'm still getting used to non-sith. This change is night and day, I'm unsure how to proceed and I hate not knowing"

There was so much she knew and yet so little. She could bind the very dead and consume their power, she knew ancient lore that many scholars would kill for, she had even begun the path towards immortality. So of all things, why was mere conversation so difficult?


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

There was a clear relieved sigh from Dreidi as Kaila apologised for the outburst. It was a good step forward and it showed that Kaila wanted this to work as much as she did, something Dreidi was grateful to see. She listened and nodded her head as she took another step to Kaila and placed her hand on Kaila's shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze.

"I am not expecting you to become a whole new person over night and I am sure there were be plenty of disagreements about how we handle things and how we work together." Dreidi mentioned, "that tends to be how things go between co-workers and especially between friends." Dreidi added in friendship with an emphasis that was what she hoped things could become with Kaila. Building things up, she wanted to establish a great support system for Kaila as the Sith ventured into new territory.

It was what her sister did when Dreidi left the Silver Jedi to join her eldest sister in the Confederacy after her father's passing.

"Anything you want to do first when we reach the enclave? It is still under construction so the living quarters aren't the best but there is room for you to make something for yourself. I can also trying my best at whipping up a meal for you." Dreidi mentioned, in case it had been a while since Kaila had eaten last.

 

[Kaila Irons]

Kaila glanced at the hand now squeezing her shoulder. Such a simple gesture really, and yet it could have so many meanings. But Dreidi made her intentions rather clear.

Friendship.

The word sounded so strange to her. Sith didn't have friends, not really. Sith knew beings whom they'd manipulated into serving them and others whom they planned to stab in the back, but never a true friend, not once they'd taken up the dark mantle. But Kaila had never been good at being Sith, or so some believed. Xyrah remained her friend, having taken care of her during her darkest hours even before he was Sith, and long before she was a dark lord herself. Although now he was married to Carnifex. Could she still rely on him now? And what of Leven? The dark jedi had convinced Kaila to take her first steps out of her master's shadow long before she and Dreidi had even met, but there was still so much she didn't know about the sithspawn, so many questions unanswered. Such as why.

Out of everyone, why herself?

Although it was a question she could ask of the witch as well. The witch who was now offering food.

"A meal?" She laughed softly "We could have easily come to blows just now, and you're offering me a meal?"

In fact they had come to blows when last they spoke. No doubt it added to the tension they experienced mere moments ago. The witch was a strange one, of that Kaila was certain. Though she supposed they both were, in their own ways.

"I suppose I am a tad hungry now that you mention it"

She'd been so distracted with plots and contingencies, forever preoccupied with one task and then the next. Had she neglected to eat?


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

Dreidi shrugged her shoulders, "we might have but I do not believe we were as close to that outcome as it might have seemed. Neither of us want to fight and spill blood." Dreidi was making sure to choose her words purposefully to include Kaila's effort, not wanting her friend to feel like she was being diminished.

"I will say, I offer friendship, a place to stay and a meal but it is the meal you are surprised by out of all my offers." She smirked, not thinking too much about anything she offered, her actions had been for this all and she had once considered several Sith friends, mentors and influential in her life. The confederacy had showed her that the Sith could do good, even if they were a little misguided at times. Hopefully Kaila could be a fresh beginning a demonstration of what Sith could do well.

A pivotal role in preventing a generational war.

A symbol for peace, that is what she hoped her friend could be some day and she wanted to help that.

For now, it seemed that food was in need and Dreidi was more than happy to try and rustle up something edible. Waving her hands as they reached the entrance of her enclave, the doors glowed with green etchings and slowly rumbled opening. She watched with a grin on her face, being able to use her Magick to put a simple but effective barricade was fun. A demonstration of her skills. Nothing impenetrable but it was a solid warning alert in case people found the enclave who were not honourable with their intentions.

"Grisial can guide you to living quarters if you wish to find somewhere comfortable to set up as a room and make your own space, while I am sorting out some food for us. He can then guide you to somewhere we can eat together once I am done." Dreidi offered a smile, using Grisial this way was a good way for her to basically be in two places at once, the Vulptex was a second set of senses when she needed to tap into their Force Bond.

As they entered the main chamber of the enclave, Kaila would spot the crystal fox awaiting their arrival as Dreidi petted her companion gently and thought about a comforting meal she could make swiftly that would be soothing for an empty stomach.

 

[Kaila Irons]

"I will say, I offer friendship, a place to stay and a meal but it is the meal you are surprised by out of all my offers."

" I..." Kaila stopped to consider the weight of that offer.

"I suppose I never stopped to consider just how ridiculous this is" She laughed

"You hardly know me"

The unlikely pair reached the enclave after a time, Kaila tilting her head at the strange runes carved into the door, recognizable only in that they shared a similar hue with the strange ichor of Dathomir. She would idly trace her finger across one as they passed through and into the enclave. She'd have to take a closer look later, perhaps sketch them when she had time to better study the witches. It was a pity they had to meet on Brendok instead, for she would have loved to learn about the dathomiri covens instead.

Eventually her wandering eyes would settle on the vulpine creature who Dreidi called "Grisial", who Kaila thought she recognized from a holobook she'd read one day.

"Grisial can guide you to living quarters if you wish to find somewhere comfortable to set up as a room and make your own space, while I am sorting out some food for us. He can then guide you to somewhere we can eat together once I am done."

"Grisial," She echoed "Vulptex if I'm not mistaken?"

She had never seen one in person before, but it was quite a beautiful creature actually. His tail sported a crystalline structure that grew to be big as a lightsaber crystal at it's end, and yet she could feel the living force such that this was surely a living organic.

"May I... pet him...? Or does he dislike strangers? I hope he won't fight with my astromech, I may need him to bring some of my things"


Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Dathomir
Outfit: Witch Attire
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Nightsister Energy Bow, Ichor Sword
Tag: Kaila Irons

Dreidi shrugged, "true, but this is our chance to get to know one another. For me, the way of the Jedi is to offer a friendly hand to anyone who needs it. Not just those that I know or like." While Kaila might think the Jedi were all one way, Dreidi was aiming to demonstrate they were varied and that the Jedi she respected and wished to be were the types that helped those in need. Even Sith.

When approaching Grisial, Dreidi nodded her head, "we met on Crait after he had been captured by an insane Sith scientist attempting to create a dangerous new Sithspawn from Vulptex. After saving Grisial, we became Force Bonded." Giving context for what was going to happen next.

I don't hate strangers, as long as Dreidi welcomes them here and they are friendly. Astromechs are fine too, as long as they don't try to zap me. A masculine but not necessarily deep voice would echo in Kaila's mind as Grisial spoke to her directly himself.

"Our bond has given him some sentience and ability to communicate with Force Users via telepathy." Dreidi explained, in case Kaila felt concerned that the Vulptex was dangerous or purposefully invading her mind.

The crystal fox moved close to Kaila to be petted as Dreidi stepped towards the kitchen area while facing Grisial and Kaila still. "If you aren't comfortable with his thoughts entering your mind, let us know and he won't do it again. It is merely the only way he can communicate with people and I like to allow him to give his own consent and voice to others."